author visits by steve weatherill
for schools and libraries
living book storyplays
Spring 2012 – We’ve been invited to visit Northern Ireland again to visit schools in Belfast. We’ll be travelling to Birkenhead from Lincolnshire for the ferry. Anyone looking for a visit en route, let me know.
It is always worth checking as it can reduce the travelling costs.
Wednesday March 7- Our Lady and St Anne’s Primary School, Newcastle upon Tyne
Saturday May 12 – NCMA Annual Regional Meeting – North East, Hartlepool
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday May 14, 15, 16, Paris
Author Visits in 2011
| When | Where |
|---|---|
| Monday 28 February | North Baddesley Infant School, Southampton |
| Tuesday 1 March | Redbourn Infant School, Hertfordshire |
| Thursday 3 March | Rowlands Gill Primary, Gateshead |
| Wednesday 9 March | Boston Children's Centre, Lincolnshire |
| Thursday 10 March | First Start Children’s Centre, Fox Hill Children’s Centre, Sheffield |
| Tues, Weds 29, 30 March | High Greave Infant School, E Herringthorpe, Rotherham |
| Monday 16 May | The Victoria School, Poole, Dorset |
Comments From Previous Visits
| 'Thanks again for a great day. The children are making their own Big Bite Books.' Victoria School, Poole, May 2011 | |
|---|---|
| 'Thank you so much for a fabulous event, we had lots of really lovely feedback from the teachers of the school and of course the children too.' Leeds Libraries, October 2010 | 'Thank you ever so much for 3 fun filled days...' Wrexham Libraries, October 2010 |
| '...a big thank you for coming to St Albans for the concerts. It made a major contribution to the children's enjoyment of the event and I had excellent feedback from parents and children.' Dr James Ross, conductor of St Albans Symphony Orchestra, July 2010 | 'We so enjoyed your visit last March that we are hoping you could come and visit us again next year? North Baddesley Infant School, Southampton, September 2010 |
| 'Many thanks for a magical time had by all. As usual your visit & wonderful story telling was well received and much fun was had.' Springwell School, Hartlepool, November 2009 | '...a huge thank you for great sessions at St Anne's Primary School...' Gateshead Libraries, November, 2009 |
| 'We estimated we had around 600 under 5s visit the event. The children loved your stories and illustrations...' Sheffield Bookstart, The Bedtime Reading Event, May 2009 | 'Your book has been a resounding success- we have received many compliments.' The Head, Witham Hall Preparatory School, June 2009 |
| 'Thank you for visiting last week, the children and parents really loved the sessions, as did the library staff... ' Leeds Libraries April 2009 | 'Thanks for your great sessions at Hebden Bridge last week...' Calderdale Libraries March 2009 |
| 'Hope to see you again next year' McArthur Nursery School, Belfast, October 2010 | '...We'd love you to do Gala Day again on Nov 22 and a week of school visits...' The Northern Children's Book Festival 2008 |
| 'The best author visit we've had.' St Georges College, Weybridge, May 2008 | '..delighted that you're going to be back in Northern Ireland again...' Belfast Libraries |
| '...The children, parents and governors enjoyed the visit immensely. We hope to see you again next year...' The Principal, McArthur Nursery School, Belfast, March 2009 | '...The sessions as usual, went really well...' Manchester Libraries |
| 'Many thanks for your inspired storytelling on Tuesday...' Hartlepool library, | 'The 3 Little Pigs was great ...a lovely way to finish the day...' Humber Mouth Literary Festival July |
| 'Thank you for your exciting visit...' Mount Nod School, Coventry, March | 'You helped to make the Storytelling Festival a HUGE success.' Sue Willis, Lancashire Libraries, Preston |
| 'I brought my Year 2 class to see you at Fairfield Library. What a good morning it was. The children had a great time (so did the members of staff). When we got back to school, the children were buzzing talking about the visit. They really enjoyed the drama and found it great fun, especially the dressing up.' Pauline Taylor, Fairfield School, Stockton-on-Tees | '...I would like to book another event in April' Debbie Straw, SureStart, Notts |
 Drawing in West Ham |
 Ireland October 2008 - Nice one, Jack. Many thanks to Marion McLaughlin of Northern Ireland Libraries. |
Baby Goz Activity Sessions For Children Aged 3 to 7
- Group size: 30 – 100 children
The action: First, I draw Goz and his friends. The children join in by trying to guess what animal it is going to be. They suggest names and new characters. Some children are invited to come up and add details to the drawings, such as whiskers and claws, but the line intended to be a dog, may end up as a baby standing on its head! - The Goz play: We read the 1st Goz story, then the children act it out using the costumes and the karaoke machine. They become a living book. The stories can change and extra characters can be added depending on the size and length of the session. The idea is to give a spark to the children’s imagination and creativity, so that afterwards they can make up their own stories and drawings in class. Click here for children’s pictures.
- The 3 Little Puzzle Pigs: 5 children act out this version of the well known story with a lot of audience participation and the new Story Play Fold Away houses. Can get quite lively!
For children aged 7 to 11
- Talking about making books and writing stories using the flip-chart and storyboards to show how to get ideas, invent and develop characters etc.
- Working with the History craft series: Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Middle Ages, Prehistoric.
- Question and answer session.
The core activity lasts a minimum of 40 minutes and is adapted to suit the ages and abilities of the children.
For example: more reading and drawing by myself and the children, questions and answers about making books, etc.
Location:
- Enough room for the children to act out the play.
- In the Hall or library if possible, with the children coming to me.
The Props:
- (I bring everything needed with me)
- Flip-chart, many large sheets of paper.
- Karaoke machine and radio microphone
- (power point needed).
- A large box shaped like an egg.
- Animal costumes etc. (heads and tails) for several plays based on the books.
- The Big Charlie costume.
A typical school day would be:
- Session 1: 9.30-10.30am
- Session 2: 11-12pm
- Session 3: 1-2pm
- Session 4: 2-3pm
- Book signing at the end of the day if required.
Book Steve Weatherill For Your Library or School
To book a visit for your school or library please contact me either by e-mail or phone.
Contact details as follows
| Address | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|
Steve Weatherill Memorial Lane Gedney Dyke Spalding Lincolnshire PE12 0AN |
01406 363709 |
£300 a day (Society of Authors Guidlines) plus travel and accommodation if necessary.
No extra for travel on local visits – Cambridge, Lincolnshire, Norfolk.
£150 half days available locally.
All schools have the option to buy books at a special visit price.
For resale to fund the visit or to pass the saving on to the children, so they have an affordable signed copy to keep.
A choice of 15 titles.
£3 and £4